COSMOGONY
In the beginning there was only boundless void, restless and formless—it was neither force, nor time, nor law, nor pattern. In this meaningless chaos, only possibility existed.
From the stirrings of the void emerged three Forces. Déhwen, the Force of Life, who wove and enshrouded herself in Spirit. Rēnos, the Force of Transformation, who stirred change and motion. Stātos, the Force of Order, who set patterns and structure into Rēnos’ transformations.
Déhwen, on knowing she was not alone, drew her spirit around Rēnos, Stātos, and herself, so that the three became bound and drawn together, and within this tightening weave they were protected from the chaos that might fracture them.
Bound as one, they chose to sacrifice themselves so that the cosmos could emerge. A surge tore through the void, a flash that split the shadow, with substance and light bursting forth in a luminous storm. In that tumult, the first gods took shape—formed of Spirit, manifestations of the Three Forces, born in a spiritual cloud as the universe began. Some were calm and orderly, others restless and changeable, some nurturing, and still others a perfect balance of the three.
From the sacrifice of the Forces, substance and light gathered into stars, planets formed, and the first cycles of life and motion began, spreading throughout the void, protected from chaos by the Weave that still enshrouds and permeates all existence.
In time, our gods—the shepherds of life on Earth—nudged the spirits of our earliest ancestors toward the use of Sacred Rites—symbolic acts of care, attention, and intention. Through these rites, mortals might touch and communicate via the Weave, and their prayers might reach the gods or ancestral spirits, as the Weave connects all realms, physical and spiritual.
Every life takes its own shape in the Weave. It blossoms, develops, learns, and endures. When a life ends, its spirit—now informed—chooses its path. Some travel to Velyndria, the honored realm of the departed, dwelling among the gods—without grief, without estrangement, without stagnation, free from suffering and sorrow, reunited with those they cherished, in a land of unparalleled beauty and unending abundance.
Others, whose deeds were unvirtuous, may be drawn back into the Weave, or linger behind the spiritual veil of Earth before being allowed to journey on to Velyndria. A spirit may also, by its own volition, choose to merge back into the Weave at any point after shedding its mortal shell.
GODS & GODDESSES
Preface:
Velyndrians believe in ten gods whose domains encompass the full range of life’s experiences, particularly those of the human experience. These are our local gods; how many gods might exist across the entirety of the cosmos is unclear.
The gods, while distinct, could also be interpreted as aspects of other ancient pagan deities. For example, the god of wisdom, Aesvar, might be seen as a facet of Odin or Zeus, and vice versa. Similarly, the goddess of romantic desire, Bryndis, could be interpreted as an aspect of Aphrodite, Freyja, Ishtar, or Brigid—and the reverse is also true.
When considering the gods’ domains and how to pray (such as asking for wisdom, hope, protection, or creativity), it can help to think of them almost like postal addresses—though not literally. For example, if you pray to Delawyn for hope in a time of need, imagine your prayer flowing through the Weave, routed to the correct “mailbox.” This mailbox reaches the intended god or goddess regardless of naming conventions or other variations. Being specific in your prayer or devotion ensures your intention is properly directed and fully understood by the gods in every scenario.
Why do the gods act as they do? What motivates them?
The gods cooperate and preside over their distinct domains not out of obligation, but from inclination. Each chooses to guide life in ways that align with their temperament and interests, finding personal purpose and fulfillment in overseeing our living world. Their shared work lightens one another’s burdens, but more importantly, it allows each to pursue what they most enjoy and take pride in their contributions, all while sustaining the greater harmony of existence.
Though emotionally composed and stable, the gods are not without feeling—they possess pride, rivalry, and territorial instincts over their chosen domains. Yet they respect one another’s boundaries and maintain balance out of mutual benefit, and from the satisfaction of belonging to the ecosystem they shepherd, both in life and within their shared spiritual realm of Velyndria.
Pantheon:
Aesvar (The Sage)
Pronunciation: AYZ-var
Symbols: Owl, Lantern
God of: Knowledge, wisdom, foresight, comprehension, insight, clarity, truth-seeking, learning.
Morwen (The Mother)
Pronunciation: MOR-wen
Symbols: Tree, Cornucopia
Goddess of: Life nurturing, familial bonds, compassion, empathy, relational healing.
Bryndis (The Lover)
Pronunciation: BRIN-diss
Symbols: Rose, Mirror
Goddess of: Romantic and sexual desire, erotic attraction, intimacy, pleasure.
Myrsha (The Heartseer)
Pronunciation: MEER-shah
Symbols: Moon, Teardrop
Goddess of: Primal, instinctive or animalistic emotions—fear, anger, grief, disgust, joy, envy, lust for procreation.
Varynda (The Warrior)
Pronunciation: vah-RIN-dah
Symbols: Sword, Spear
Goddess of: Courage, willpower, determination, discipline, focus, action, persistence, inner strength.
Vyreth (The Muse)
Pronunciation: VEER-eth
Symbols: Quill, Harp
God of: Creativity, inspiration, artistry, expression, innovation, speech.
Delawyn (The Dawnbringer)
Pronunciation: DEH-lah-wen
Symbols: Sun, Rainbow
Goddess of: Change, transformation, adaptation, renewal, hope, personal growth, recovery from life’s challenges.
Aegor (The Protector)
Pronunciation: AY-gore
Symbols: Shield, Scales
God of: Justice, protection, morality, stability, social order, ethical guidance, safeguarding.
Nyvar (The Trickster)
Pronunciation: NEE-var
Symbols: Flame, Mask
God of: Trickery, disruption, chaos, humor, self-deception, inner conflict.
Kyrun (The Wayfinder)
Pronunciation: KAI-roon
Symbols: Boat, Star
God of: Guidance of spirits to the afterlife, keeper of the veil, spiritual transition.
Effect of Magic & Prayer:
Magic—whether through spells, runes, sigils, or other ritual acts—draws its effect from the Spirit Weave, the spiritual threads that connect and flow through all existence. Its strength depends on the practitioner’s focus, intention, and sincerity. Acts performed in a distracted, forced, insincere, or misguided manner may yield little or no effect; efficacy requires proper alignment of focus, intention, and sincerity, not mere adherence to formula. When successful, magic produces beneficial but always minor effects relative to prayer, serving best as a supportive measure alongside it.
Magic and symbols can enhance or focus prayer, but the true magnitude of change flows from the divine, guided by their will and discretion rather than forced determinism.
Prayer—connects directly to the gods. When a god chooses to favor a petitioner, it can produce effects far beyond the reach of magic alone, though gods influence rather than directly control outcomes.
Communion—operates similar in practice to prayer, but with the specific intention of reaching an ancestral spirit in the afterlife.
Holidays and Seasonal Observances:
Velyndrian Paganism honors the rhythms of the natural world and the cycles of life. Many of our seasonal observances coincide with well-known pagan celebrations, reflecting the shared reverence for the changing seasons, fertility, and the passage of time. While we recognize these broader traditions, some of our naming conventions and interpretations are unique to Velyndrian practice, helping to distinguish our faith and avoid confusion with other paths.
Vernara—Spring Equinox: Renewal, growth, and fertility.
Beltane—Celebration of fire, life, and fertility.
Solara—Summer Solstice: Abundance, the peak of sunlight, and vitality.
Autumara—Autumn Equinox: Balance, harvest, and reflection.
Samhain—End of Harvest: Honoring the departed and marking transitions.
Yule—Winter Solstice: Rebirth of light and renewal.
COMING SOON:
"Velyndrian Paganism"
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